Monduran Dam Construction Photos from 1978
Photo courtesy of G Stallan
Photo courtesy of G Stallan
Photo courtesy of G Stallan
Photo courtesy of G Stallan
Fingerlings Release
Each year MASA release fingerling’s of Australian Bass and Barramundi into the lake.
On 16 October 2013, MASA along with other volunteers, released approximately 70,000 barramundi fingerlings. 2012 also witnessed the release of a significant number of barramundi fingerlings. In November 2011, MASA released 111,136 bass fingerlings on 2 November 2011 and released 80,000 barramundi fingerlings on 25 November 2011. These fish were purchased using the SIPs (Stocked Impoundment Permit) funds and the money raised from the 2011 Monduran Family Fishing Classic.
Please see below a small gallery of some releases.
Silver Perch
Silver Perch – Bidyanus bidyanus – are naturally found throughout the Murray Darling drainage division of New South Wales and Southern Queensland. They have also been introduced and stocked into the Fitzroy and Burnett River systems as well as other South-East Queensland catchments.
They occur in a wide range of habitats, but prefer fast flowing clear waters, especially where there are rapids and runs. Feeding occurs in the vicinity of eddies, where they can be seen breaking the surface like trout in search of insects. However, they also adapt well to most impoundment conditions.
In colour the Silver Perch is olive-brown above, passing into silvery below, their scales are outlined with darker margins. This fish is known to attain a weight of 8kg, but is more commonly seen at a length of 300 – 400mm and a weight of 0.5 – 1.5kg. They are commonly captured in impoundments at around 1.5 – 2.5kg. The legal Limit for this species is 30cm and currently there is a bag limit of 5.
Spawning occurs at the surface during warm months during flood events. A mature female may shed approximately 500,000 eggs that are semi-buoyant. After one or two days of being carried in flood-water they develop into a free swimming larval stage.
Stocking
Hatchery reared Silver Perch fingerling’s are readily available and this has allowed the restocking and introduction of this species into may Queensland impoundments and weirs. In impoundment conditions they can reach 300mm in 15 – 18 months.
Silver Perch has proved to be very successful stocking for farm dams.
Angling
The Silver Perch is an omnivore and has a varied diet of small aquatic insects, molluscs, earthworms and plant material. Although readily captured at legal size, there is a common misconception that larger fish tend to be more herbivorous in their diet and are hence captured less often.
Due to its feeding habits this fish will readily rise to a fly or lure. It can be also captured using baits of worms and shrimps. The Silver Perch is regarded as an extremely hard-fighting fish – pound for pound at least equal to Bass or Golden Perch with many anglers taking the view that is far superior. Large numbers of this species can be taken during summer when they are moving upstream to spawn.
The edible qualities of this fish are rated quite well with white flaky fillets – but not to be compared with Golden Perch for flavour. The flesh is well suited to chilling and smoking.
Barramundi
Barramundi – Lates calcarifer – are large warm water perch that can grow up to 180cm in length. They are one of Queensland’s most important commercial species and are a favourite for recreational fishers – especially anglers as Barramundi are hard to catch and put up a good fight.
Barramundi is an Australian Aboriginal word ‘large-scaled river fish.’ Originally, the name Barramundi referred to Saratoga and Gulf Saratoga. The name was appropriated for to make it easier to market the Lates calcarifer in the 1980s and has significantly raised the profile of this fish significantly.
L. calcarifer is broadly referred to as Asian sea-bass by the international scientific community, but is also known as giant perch, giant sea-perch, Australian sea-bass, just to name a few. Barramundi occurs naturally throughout the South East Asian region, including northern Australia. In Queensland, wild populations are predominantly found in the central and northern parts of the state.
Barramundi inhabit coastal sea areas, estuaries and freshwater rivers and lagoons from the Maroochy and Mary river systems northward to Cape York and the Gulf.
They are reported to grow to 180cm and weighing 60kg, but are commonly captured between 45cm and 80cm. Legal Minimum size is 58cm and no maximum size limit applies in Lake Monduran.
Barramundi spawn in estuarine waters between November and March and are protected by a closed season from 12pm 1st of November to 12pm 1st of February. This is to prevent disturbance of spawning. For the Gulf Of Carpentaria the closure can vary, so contact QB&FP for details. For a number of dams in Queensland no closure applies.
Barramundi have been stocked into a number of dams and barrages of coastal Queensland, providing an enhanced recreational fishery. Fish hatcheries are now producing a reliable supply of Barramundi fingerling’s.
Stocked fingerling’s grow quite rapidly and known to reach a legal size of approximately 2.5kg within 15 months in an impoundment (dam) environment.
Barramundi are aggressive carnivores, feeding mainly on prawn, shrimp and smaller fish such as boney bream and mullet. Such an aggressive fish provide excellent sport fishing to anglers and will readily take surface and swimming lures, flies and live bait. They are renowned for leaping out of the water and shaking their head in order to dislodge the lure or hook.
Barramundi is regarded as the premium table fish of Queensland as the flesh is firm, white and has excellent flavour.
Monduran Anglers and Stocking Association (MASA) release over 50,000 Barramundi fingerling’s annually into Lake Monduran.
Australian Bass
The Australian Bass – Macquaria novemaculeata – also known as the Australian perch, survives in wild populations in the rivers and estuaries of South East Queensland – from Fraser Island and the Mary River to tributaries of Gippsland Lakes in Victoria. It lives primarily in clear flowing streams and hangs in and around snags waiting to ambush its prey.
The Australian Bass is dark olive-grey-green on its back fading to an off-white or yellowish-white below. This fish has been recorded as large as 600mm and 3.8kg – but is more commonly seen at 300 – 400mm and weighing 1.2kg.
The Australian Bass is catadromous, migrating down-stream into estuaries to breed from May to August, before returning to freshwater. Spawning occurs is brackish waters (1/2 to 1/3 sea water) when the temperature is between 11 and 18 degrees Celsius.
This species is highly fecund, producing an average of a 500,000 eggs, with larger fish up to 1,500,000. They may spawn repeatedly in a season.
Stocking
Hatchery reared fingerlings were first stocked by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in 1988 and have since been introduced into most dams east of the Dividing Range from Lake Carnia, near Monto South.
Bass have been a great fish stocking success and are providing excellent returns to anglers. However the Australian Bass will not breed in Queensland dams, hence need to be consistently restocked. In the wild, artificial barriers such as barrages, weirs and dams have restricted the habitat that this species can reach and also reduced their ability to reproduce – resulting in a marked decline in comparison to their natural range.
The Australian Bass is a carnivore that feeds mainly on shrimp, insect, frogs and small fish. Seen as one of Australia’s premier freshwater sportfish, the Australian Bass supports and important recreational fishery in south-east Queensland and is growing in popularity in the stocked impoundments.
Angling
Angling techniques generally used involve luring with deep-diving minnows, surface poppers and spinner baits. Bait fishing is also productive using shrimp, crayfish, worms, grasshoppers, etc as bait. Fly fishing for this species has become extremely popular in recent times with the best catches made at dawn and dusk.
A great sporting fish and good eating, it is more often tagged and released rather than kept – due to its decline in numbers. The minimum size limit for the Australian Bass is currently 300mm with a bag limit of 2 fish per person.
Australian Bass can be caught all year in Lake Monduran. Closed season rules apply throughout Queensland – so it is important to check with the Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries for closure areas.
Golden Perch
Golden Perch – Macquaria ambigua – also known as Yellowbelly, are found naturally in the Murray-Darling, Lake Eyre-Bulloo and Fitzroy drainages. They have also been stocked in a number of impoundments and eastern rivers in Queensland.
Genetic studies have indicated that the Golden Perch is divided into two separate species, each with two sub species. These are the Murray-Darling Golden Perch and it’s sub-species – Fitzroy Golden Perch, and the Lake Eyre Golden Perch and it’s sub-species – Bulloo River Golden Perch.
Golden Perch are known to grow to 76cm and 23kg, but are more commonly encountered at 30 – 50cm and less than 5kg. Fitzroy and Lake Eyre Golden Perch have been recorded up to 9kg. Legal minimum size is 30cm and a bag limit of 5 fish per person applies.
Golden Perch travel upstream to spawn during spring and summer flood periods. The exact timing of spawning is regulated by temperature, rises in water levels and length of the day.
Stocking
Golden Perch fingerling’s are readily available and this enabled restocking of natural watereways and an enhanced recreational fishery in Queensland’s impoundments. As a result anglers have been provided with a number of recreational fishing areas where large Golden Perch can be consistently captured.
Golden Perch stocked into impoundments will reach legal size in 12 – 15 months at a weight of 500 – 800 grams.
Angling
Golden Perch inhabit areas around weed beds, drop offs, sunken loigs and rocks, in both impoundments and rivers. This is due to the availability of reliable food sources, such as shrimp, insects, yabbies and small baitfish.
Golden Perch are aggressive predators and will readily attack surface and swimming lures, and well presented baits. Luring is particularly effective in impoundments where water clarity is good.
As well as being aggressive sportfish Golden Perch are known to be one of the best freshwater table-fish in Queensland. Their flesh is firm and white and does not hold any muddy taint that is sometimes found in other freshwater fish.
Sleepy Cod
Sleepy Cod – Oxyeloetris lineolatus – also known as Sleeper Cod, are found in coastal and inland streams, rivers and billabongs from the Fitzroy River system northwards to Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria. Sleepy Cod are known to grow to a weight of 3kg and a length of 50cm, but are more commonly found at a length of 20 – 35cm.
There are currently no size restriction or bag limits placed upon this species. This species is NOT stocked in Lake Monduran.
Sleepy Cod reach maturity when they are approximately 250mm in length and spawn during October through to February when water temperatures reach 24 degrees Celsius and above.
Stocking
Sleepy Cod are easy to breed and are a hardy species which withstand capture, handling and transport. As a result, Sleepy Cod fingerling’s are readily available for stocking and have been stocked successfully into a number of rivers and impoundments throughout Queensland.
Their success in impoundments is due to their ability to breed naturally in these areas after being stocked. As a result, fisheries have been enhanced in Queensland’s impoundments and Sleepy Cod are becoming more frequent in anglers catches.
Angling
Sleepy Cod generally inhabit areas of slow flooding water around weed banks and submerged logs. During the day juveniles tend to bury themselves into sand or debris, while larger fish lie still on the bottom. Sleepy Cod remain motionless until prey passes by – then they will move rapidly to capture the prey. Prey includes shrimp, insects, frogs and small fish.
Due to their relatively sluggish nature, Sleepy Cod are not considered a good sport-fish. Feeding activity for Sleepy Cod is greatest at night and they are rarely seen during the winter. Night time fishing in summer is the most productive when fishing for shrimp, small live fish such as Spangle Perch and Boney Bream, meat baits such as squid, dead prawns, liver, heart and chicken giblets.
In clear shallow areas, Sleepy Cod can also be captured at night with a scoop net and torch. Sleepy Cod are superb eating fish as the flesh is firm, white, flaky and does not hold any muddy taste. For this reason the Sleepy Cod is a much sought after table fish.
Pest Fish
Unfortunately in Australian waterways we have a lot of pest fish species ruining the native habitat and menacing other fish species – we have compiled a very short list of known pests. The hard working team here at MASA strives to educate anglers and the general public of the dangers these fish pose to our native fish populations and the devastation to river banks, waterways and the dam’s of Queensland.
Gambusia holbrooki – also known as plague minnow, gambusia and mosquito fish, are native to North America. They were initially introduced into Australian waters sometime during the 1920s for mosquito control. However, since that time their ability to control mosquito larvae has been shown to be no greater than that of small native fish that feed on insects. Eastern Gambusia have been associated with the decline Australian native species such as gudgeon, hardyheads and some rainbow fish.
Tilapia – Oreochromis and Sarotherodon part of the Cichlidae family. Two species have established in Queensland – the Mozambique mouthbrooder (Oreochromis mossambicus) and the black mangrove cichlid (Tilapia mariae. ) This Pest has successfully invaded and dominated many native aquatic habitats due to their highly efficient reproductive strategy, simple food requirements and their ability to live in a variety of conditions. They disrupt native species when competing for habitat and food, behaving aggressively and disturbing plant beds when building nests.
Barramundi Recipe for Angling Success
There are a few tips and tricks to angling success in Lake Monduran, and when it comes to Barramundi you will be well rewarded for your learning effort. Here are a few of the most successful tips for hardware and lures we have collected over the years.
Rod – Graphite or woven rods from 8kg to 12Kg will suffice. Preferably Graphite because of its lightness, which makes hours of casting less physically demanding.
Reels – Low profile or Barrel type overhead reels are most popular because of their design, lightness, strong drag systems and accurate casting. Spinning Reels are fine but can be a little heavy when casting reels all day. Spinning Reels are excellent for trolling.
Line – Braid or mono from 15kg to 25kg are best. Preferably braid because of its non stretch characteristics and small diameter for casting.
Leader – Leader from 20kg to 30kg. Preferably fluorocarbon which becomes completely translucent in water.
Clips – Coast-lock and Cross-lock clips rated between 40kg and 50kg will be strong enough. When using mono line use a clip with a swivel on it because of line twist.
Lures – Lures ranging from 100mm to 180mm in length are ideal. It is best to have a selection of lures which will dive in depth of 1 metre to 7 metres. Colour selection is fairly important with Gold, Silver and White being the most popular.
Lure Hardware – upgrade all hardware on lures to be heavy duty split rings and hooks.
Water Temperature– Optimum Water Temperature is 27 to 30 degrees Celsius are critical for catching this iconic species. Barramundi like warm water and tactics will change throughout the seasons. Because of low temperatures throughout the winter months, target windward areas on the side of bays where the temperature is highest. Prime fishing for this period is between 10am to 2pm.
During the summer months, water temperature can get too hot during the middle of the day, so fish between 5am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm.
Moon Phase – Prime lunar phase is 2 days before and up to full moon and new moon.
Food– Normal food is gar and boney bream. Find a bay where there is plenty of gar and you will be sure to find Barramundi. For those that have an echo sounder, look for balls of bait. Barramundi are often found just below these natural food sources.
Barramundi Habitat– One of the important ingredients for catching Barramundi is ‘habitat’ or ‘structure.’ Fallen timber and lantana bushes with plenty of branches are prime areas to look, as are gradual sloping rocky spots with deep water surrounding each side.
Other successful fishing spots are the windward side of shallow bays and close to timbered foreshores in 6 to 7 metres depth which is adjacent to the Kolan Shire riverbed. Other productive areas have been the edges of weed beds and small islands surrounded by shallow water.